Tilt Mounting System

ABSTRACT

An improved adjustable mounting system for mounting a flat panel display to a surface. A mounting bracket is configured to attach to the surface, while an adapter bracket is operatively connected to the mounting bracket and is configured to operatively connect to the flat panel display. At least one carrier mechanism operatively connects the mounting bracket and the adapter bracket, the first carrier mechanism positioned with a set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces to couple the adapter bracket to the mounting bracket. When the flat panel display is operatively connected to the adapter bracket and the mounting bracket is attached to the surface, the flat panel display is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis substantially parallel to the surface as a result of the interaction of the first carrier mechanism with the set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/785,966, filed May 24, 2010 which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/503,718, filed Jul. 15, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.7,753,332, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/357,348, filed Feb. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,163, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/728,945,filed Oct. 21, 2005. The contents of these applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mounting systems. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to adjustable mountingsystems for mounting devices such as flat panel televisions and displayson a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, flat-panel television units have become enormouslypopular in both the commercial and the residential sectors. As theprices for plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) flat panel displayshave continued to fall, and as the quality for the same devices haveimproved, more and more businesses and individuals have purchased suchdevices both for business and home entertainment purposes.

One of the advantages of flat-panel television units that customers havefound particularly appealing is their relatively low thickness. Becauseconventional “tube” televisions have a relatively large depth, thedisplay options for such devices are quite limited. In the residentialsetting, most users require a television stand or large entertainmentcenter to store the television. Such stands or entertainment centers cantake up significant floor space, which is often undesirable. In thecommercial or educational setting, users will often install largeoverhead mounting systems that can contain the television. However,these systems usually require professional installation and, once thetelevision is secured in the mount, it is often very difficult to accessand adjust due to its height.

With flat-panel televisions, on the other hand, users are presented witha relatively new option: mounting the television directly to a wall orsimilar surface. By mounting the television to a wall, a person caneliminate the need to take up potentially valuable floor space with atelevision stand or entertainment unit. Furthermore, individuals andentities can mount the television at a sufficiently low height to beable to adjust the television's orientation with little difficulty.

Although the introduction of flat-panel televisions on a wide scale haspresented new opportunities to both residential and commercialcustomers, it has also presented new challenges. Over the past fewyears, a number of wall mounting systems have been developed for usewith flat panel televisions, but each has their own drawbacks. Theproducts described in these disclosures rely upon the use of a set ofcurved slots to form a rotatable connection between a mounting bracketand a support bracket. Although moderately useful, a rolling connectionamong the slots is required for the smooth tilting movement of themounting bracket relative to the support bracket. Unfortunately, thecurved slots themselves can cause the mounting systems' rolling pins toslip during the tilting process, which can lead to the mounting bracket,and therefore the attached television or display, to move in an abrupt,non-smooth fashion relative to the support bracket. Such movements canmake it difficult for one to precisely position the television ordisplay in the desired position. Additionally, gravity can, on occasion,cause the rolling pins to fall within the slots, which can cause thesystem to bind. In such a situation, it becomes more difficult to adjustthe orientation of the flat panel display. Furthermore, with some newerplasma and LCD televisions being more sensitive and delicate thanconventional tube televisions, such sudden slippage could also damagethe devices.

U.S. Application Publication No. 2004/0245420 discloses a mountingsystem where a plurality of arc-shaped glides are used in place of therolling pins. However, such glides may be more expensive to manufacturethan rolling pins, are more difficult to assemble into the curved slotsthan the rolling pins, and are prone to suffering wear to the frictionalsliding of the glides against the sides of the slots.

It therefore would be desirable to develop an improved rotatableconnection for tilt mounting systems that addresses the above-identifiedshortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a self-balancing flat panel televisionor display mounting system. The mounting system is tiltable through theuse of a plurality of substantially straight guide paths or surfacesformed with a mounting bracket and an adapter bracket, where carriermechanisms are used to effectuate a smooth, rolling connection betweenthe mounting bracket and the adapter bracket. In this arrangement, theresultant forces on the carrier mechanisms are oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of the carrier mechanisms' travel,balancing the forces created by the supported load. By using a pluralityof sets of guide paths with each support plate/mounting bracketcombination, the guide paths create a “scissoring” action whichdiminishes sliding and promotes the smooth movement of the carriermechanisms with the guide paths, as well as helping to ensure that thecarrier mechanisms do not slip when a user or installer lifts andremoves the television from the remainder of the mount.

These and other advantages and features of the invention, together withthe organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparentfrom the following detailed description when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numeralsthroughout the several drawings described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tilt mounting system constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mounting system of FIG. 1 when in a firstposition;

FIG. 3 is a magnified view of the interaction among a carrier and a setof guide paths on the mounting bracket and support plate when in theposition shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mounting system of FIG. 1 when in a secondposition;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting system of FIG. 1 when in anintermediate position;

FIG. 6 is a magnified view of the interaction among a carrier mechanismand a set of guide paths on the mounting bracket and support plate whenin the position shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of a mounting system constructed according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-6 show an adjustable mounting system 10 constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The mountingsystem 10 of FIGS. 1-6 comprises a mounting bracket 12 which isconfigured to attach to a flat surface such as a wall. The mountingbracket includes a mounting bracket contact portion 11 and a pair ofmounting bracket flanges 13 on each side thereof. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-6, a plurality of mounting bracket holes 18 arestrategically placed and sized within the mounting bracket contactportion 11 to attach the mounting bracket 12 to the wall. It should alsobe noted, however, that the mounting bracket 12 can be part of a largersupport system, and that the attachment of the mounting bracket 12 tothe wall does not have to be direct. Instead, the mounting bracket 12can be connected to the wall via a plurality of intermediate components,such as an articulating arm (not shown) or other brackets or plates.These various components can be used to translation an attachedelectronic device away from or towards the wall, to tilt the electronicdevice to the left or right, or for other purposes.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6, an adapter bracket 14 isrotatably coupled to the mounting bracket 12. Like the mounting bracket12, the adapter bracket 14 includes an adapter bracket contact portion15 bounded by a pair of adapter bracket flanges 17 on each side thereofin one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-6, a display bracket 16 is secured to the adapter bracket contactportion 15 and is configured to attach to a flat panel display or otherelectronic device via a plurality of display bracket holes 20. However,it should also be noted that, in other embodiments of the invention, thedisplay bracket 16 is not necessary and the adapter bracket 14 canattached directly to the respective electronic device.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the mounting bracket 12 includes a plurality ofmounting bracket guide paths 24, and the adapter bracket 14 includes aplurality of adapter bracket guide paths 26. FIGS. 1-6 show and describethe mounting bracket guide paths 24 and adapter bracket guide paths 26as slots that are formed completely within the mounting bracket 12 andadapter bracket 14, respectively. However, it should be understood thatthe present invention is not strictly limited to the use of slots.Instead, guide paths for the mounting bracket 12 and the adapter bracket14 can comprise items such as rails and outer surfaces that define apath of travel, as well as other structures that provide guide paths.The present invention should therefore not be strictly limited to theuse of slots.

The mounting bracket guide paths 24 are located on the mounting bracketflanges 13, and the adapter bracket guide paths 26 are located on theadapter bracket flanges 17. In one embodiment of the invention, eachmounting bracket flange 13 includes two mounting bracket guide paths 24,and each adapter bracket flange 17 includes two adapter bracket guidepaths 26, each of which are configured to align with a respectivemounting bracket guide path 24.

Importantly, both the mounting bracket guide paths 24 and the adapterbracket guide paths 26 are substantially straight in nature. Inparticular, each individual mounting bracket guide path 24 and adapterbracket guide path 26 does not possess any discernable radius ofcurvature along the longer edges of the guide paths that are closer towhere the electronic device is mounted. In a preferred embodiment, thelonger inner and outer edges of both the mounting bracket guide paths 24and the adapter bracket guide paths 26 are substantially straight andpossess no discernable radius of curvature. Both the mounting bracketguide paths 24 and the adapter bracket guide paths 26 are sized toaccept a carrier 22 therethrough. FIGS. 1-6 show the carrier mechanisms22 as comprising rolling pins. However, other types of carriers, such asgliders or other items, could also be used. In one particular embodimentof the invention, two rolling pins are used, with one rolling pinpassing through the uppermost mounting bracket guide paths 24 andadapter bracket guide paths 26 on each of the respective flanges, andanother rolling pin passing through the lowermost mounting bracket guidepaths 24 and adapter bracket guide paths 26 on each of the respectiveflanges.

The different positions of the mounting system 10 shown in FIGS. 2-6show the relative movement of the adapter bracket 14, and therefore anyattached electronic device, relative to the mounting bracket 12. FIGS. 2and 3 show the adapter bracket 14 in a first position, where the adapterbracket 14 (and the electronic device) are angled upward to the greatestextent permitted by the mounting system 10. Conversely, FIG. 4 shows theadapter bracket 14 in a second position, where the adapter bracket 14(and the electronic device) are angled downward to the greatest extentpermitted by the mounting system 10. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the adapterbracket 14 in an intermediate position, about half way between theposition shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the position shown in FIG. 4.

In the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carriers 22 are positionedat the top most regions of the respective adapter bracket guide paths 26and the lower most regions of the respective mounting bracket guidepaths 24. In contrast, when the adapter bracket 14 is positioned asshown in FIG. 4, the carriers 22 are positioned at the lower mostregions of the respective adapter bracket guide paths 26 and the topmost regions of the respective mounting bracket guide paths 24. At alltimes during the motion process, the adapter plate 14 and attachedelectronic device exert a normal force against the carrier 22 in theuppermost guide paths, with the force being normal to a major axis ofthe respective mounting bracket guide paths 24. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, the mounting bracket guide paths 24 on eachmounting bracket flange 13 are oriented such that lines normal to themajor axes of each mounting bracket guide path 24 will intersect at apoint within the vicinity of the center of gravity of a flat paneldisplay or television when properly secured to the adapter bracket 14.As a result of this arrangement, the flat panel display or televisiondoes not tend to tilt on its own without the imposition of outsideforces (typically imposed by a user who wants to change the orientationof the flat panel display.)

During the process of adjusting the tilt of the adapter bracket 14relative to the mounting bracket 12, the position of the adapter bracketguide paths 26 is adjusted relative to the position of the correspondingmounting bracket guide paths 24. This movement can be described as a“scissors style” movement, with the interaction of the guide pathsresembling the interaction of two scissor blades during a cuttingprocess. As a result of this scissors style relative motion, the forcesthat are exerted on the carriers 22 promotes the rolling of the carriers22 within the respective guide paths and works to help prevent anysliding action of the carriers 22. As any sliding of the carriers 22within the guide paths can lead to an uneven and/or unbalanced movementof the adapter bracket 14 and electronic device relative to the mountingbracket 12, the use of straight guide paths, and therefore the resultantscissors style movement, aids in permitting a smooth and consistentadjustment process. This makes it easier for the user to place theelectronic device at a desired orientation. Additionally, the improvedrolling action also prevents slippage and instability when a userattempts to remove the electronic device/adapter bracket 14 combinationfrom the mounting bracket 12 when necessary or desired.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is not necessaryfor each mounting bracket guide path 24 to have a corresponding adapterbracket guide path 26. For example, it is possible, instead of havingadapter bracket guide paths 26 at all, the adapter can include aplurality of holes just large enough to permit the carrier 22 rolltherein, with each hole corresponding to a mounting bracket guide path24. Alternatively, this arrangement can be reversed, where the mountingbracket flanges 13 each possess a hole that corresponds to a respectiveadapter bracket guide path 26.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-6 also includes afriction member 30 for adjusting the level of resistance that is metduring the adjustment process. In one particular embodiment, thefriction member 30 includes an adjustment screw that passes through bothan adapter plate friction slot 28 and a hole (not shown) in thecorresponding mounting plate flange 13. It should be noted that the holeand slot can also be reversed, such that the friction slot appears onthe mounting bracket 12. A plurality of washers (not shown) may also beused along with the adjustment screw. In this embodiment of theinvention, a clockwise rotation of the adjustment screw causes therespective adapter bracket flange 17 and mounting bracket flange 13 tocome into closer contact with each other, which results in an increasedlevel of friction when the user moves the flat panel display (andtherefore the adapter bracket 14) relative to the mounting bracket 12. Acounterclockwise rotation of the adjustment screw correspondinglyreduces the friction level between the mounting bracket 12 and theadapter bracket 14. It should be understood that other types of frictiondevices may also be used, and that these friction devices may or may notinclude an adjustment screw of the type described herein.

FIG. 7 shows an additional embodiment of the present invention, wherethe adapter bracket 14 includes a guide path 26 which is an open-backrolling surface instead of a slot. In this particular embodiment, if auser needs to perform an action under the television or display such asaccessing cables, he or she can rotate the adapter bracket 14 relativeto the mounting bracket 12 about an axis defined by the upper carriermechanism 22. This action provides a user with improved access to theback side of the device without having to completely remove the adapterbracket 14.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention havebeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to theprecise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of thepresent invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order toexplain the principles of the present invention and its practicalapplication to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the presentinvention in various embodiments and with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

1. A mounting system for mounting a device to a surface, comprising: amounting bracket operatively connectable to a mounting surface; anadapter bracket operatively connectable to a device, the adapter bracketmoveably coupled to the mounting bracket, the adapter bracket comprisinga flange including: a first substantially straight adapter bracket guidepath characterized by a first adapter bracket guide path major axis, anda second substantially straight adapter bracket guide path characterizedby a second adapter bracket guide path major axis noncolinear with andintersecting the first adapter bracket guide path major axis; a firstcarrier received by the first substantially straight adapter bracketguide path of the flange and operatively coupled to the mountingbracket; and a second carrier received by the second substantiallystraight adapter bracket guide path of the flange and operativelycoupled to the mounting bracket, wherein the adapter bracket isselectively positionable in relation to the mounting bracket by way ofinteraction of the first carrier and the second carrier with themounting bracket and the adapter bracket.
 2. The mounting system ofclaim 1, wherein the first substantially straight adapter bracket guidepath comprises a first adapter bracket slot, and wherein the secondsubstantially straight adapter bracket guide path comprises a secondadapter bracket slot.
 3. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein thefirst carrier is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket via a firstsubstantially straight mounting bracket guide path.
 4. The mountingsystem of claim 3, wherein the second carrier is operatively coupled tothe mounting bracket via a second substantially straight mountingbracket guide path.
 5. The mounting system of claim 4, wherein the firstsubstantially straight mounting bracket guide path comprises a firstmounting bracket slot, and wherein the second substantially straightmounting bracket guide path comprises a second mounting bracket slot. 6.The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an articulating armoperatively connecting the mounting bracket to the mounting surface. 7.A mounting system for mounting a device to a surface, comprising: amounting bracket configured for operative attachment to a mountingsurface, the mounting bracket including: a first substantially straightmounting bracket guide path characterized by a first mounting bracketguide path major axis, and a second substantially straight mountingbracket guide path characterized by a second mounting bracket guide pathmajor axis noncolinear with and intersecting the first mounting bracketguide path major axis; an adapter bracket operatively connectable to adevice, the adapter bracket moveably coupled to the mounting bracket, afirst carrier received by the first substantially straight mountingbracket guide path and operatively coupled to the adapter bracket; and asecond carrier received by the second substantially straight mountingbracket guide path and operatively coupled to the adapter bracket,wherein the adapter bracket is selectively positionable in relation tothe mounting bracket by way of interaction of the first carrier and thesecond carrier with the adapter bracket and the mounting bracket.
 8. Themounting system of claim 7, wherein the first substantially straightmounting bracket guide path comprises a first mounting bracket slot, andwherein the second substantially straight mounting bracket guide pathcomprises a second mounting bracket slot.
 9. The mounting system ofclaim 7, wherein the first carrier is operatively coupled to the adapterbracket via a first substantially straight adapter bracket guide path.10. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein the second carrier isoperatively coupled to the adapter bracket via a second substantiallystraight adapter bracket guide path.
 11. The mounting system of claim10, wherein the first substantially straight adapter bracket guide pathcomprises a first adapter bracket slot, and wherein the secondsubstantially straight adapter bracket guide path comprises a secondadapter bracket slot.
 12. The mounting system of claim 7, furthercomprising an articulating arm operatively connecting the mountingbracket to the mounting surface.
 13. A mounting system configured tomount a display device to a surface, comprising: a mounting bracketoperatively connectable to a mounting surface; an adapter bracketoperatively connectable to the display device; a first carrieroperatively and movably connecting the adapter bracket to the mountingbracket, the first carrier interacting with a first plurality ofsubstantially straight guide paths located on one of the mountingbracket and the adapter bracket; a second carrier operatively andmovably connecting the adapter bracket to the mounting bracket, thesecond carrier interacting with a second plurality of substantiallystraight guide paths located on one of the mounting bracket and theadapter bracket; wherein the adapter bracket and the mounting bracketare movably connected to each other by the first and second carrierssuch that, when the display is operatively connected to the adapterbracket and the mounting bracket is operatively connected to thesurface, the display device is selectively positionable between anupwardly tilted position and a downwardly tilted position about an axislocated apart from the first carrier and the second carrier, as a resultof the interaction between first and second carriers and the respectivefirst and second plurality of substantially straight guide paths. 14.The mounting system of claim 13, wherein the first plurality ofsubstantially straight guide paths comprise a first set substantiallystraight mounting bracket guide paths included within the mountingbracket.
 15. The mounting system of claim 14, wherein the secondplurality of substantially straight guide paths comprise a second setsubstantially straight mounting bracket guide paths included within themounting bracket.
 16. The mounting system of claim 13, wherein the firstplurality of substantially straight guide paths comprise a first set ofsubstantially straight adapter bracket guide paths included within theadapter bracket.
 17. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein the secondplurality of substantially straight guide paths comprise a second set ofsubstantially straight adapter bracket guide paths included within theadapter bracket.
 18. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein the secondplurality of substantially straight guide paths comprise substantiallystraight mounting bracket guide paths included within the mountingbracket.
 19. The mounting system of claim 13, wherein the mountingbracket includes a mounting bracket contact surface and first and secondmounting bracket flanges extending from the mounting bracket contactsurface, the first and second mounting bracket flanges each includingone the first plurality of substantially straight guide paths.
 20. Themounting system of claim 13, wherein the adapter bracket includes aadapter bracket contact surface and first and second adapter bracketextending from the adapter bracket contact surface, the first and secondadapter bracket flanges each including one the first plurality ofsubstantially straight guide paths.